Well bit



Aug. 22, 1933. J. H. HOWARD Er 'A'. 1,923,488

Filed oct. 5, 1951 Patented Aug. 22., 1933 PATENT ori-ICE WELL BIT John' H. Howard, Huntington Park, and Alfred C. Catland, Alhambra, Calif., assignors `to Globe Oil Tools Company, Los Nietos, Calif., a

Corporation ofl California l l\ n Application October 5, 1931. Serial No. 566,912

9 claims. (c1. 25a-'en J'Ihis invention relates to a well drilling tool and relates more particularly to a drilling bit. It is a general object of the invention to provide a Well drilling tool, such` as a bit or the like, that embodies a simple, practical and improved.v cutting means whereby, the tool is. self-sharpening through use.

In the drilling of deep wells, certain earth formations are encountered that are effectively .drilled by diamonds or bodies of hard cutting material, usually known as'ldiamond substitutes, lo-

- cated on the cuttingparts of the drilling tools.

Self-sharpening drilling tools have been suggested .wherein the parts or bodies f hard cutting material. are carried by, or backed up by, materials such `as bronze, brass, aluminum, etc.,

having relatively lov/*resistance to abrasion. Ma-

terial having a low resistance to abrasion does not have suiiicientstrength to withstand the usage to which av drilling tool is subjected, or to properly and dependably hold the bodies of hard cutting material.

An object of this invention is to provide a selfsharpening drilling tool in which the diamond substitute or bodies of hard cutting material are mounted in a simple andetiective manner and are firmly held against displacement or separation from the tool. A

Another object of the invention is to provide a drilling tool of the charactenmentioned in which the diamond substitutes are mounted or embedded in plates of relatively hard strong material carried on .the faces. of blades formed of a material having a relatively low resistance to abrasion.

Another object of the invention is to provide a tool-of the character mentioned in'wh'ich the plates of relatively hard material carrying the bodies ofA hard cutting material are directly joined or connected to the body of the tool as well substitutes are anchored to the body of the tool 'and to one another in an effective manner so thatv thergfnished tool is in the form integral body 01' umt.

Another object of the invention is to provide a cutting element or unit for embodiment in a Well drilling tool 'that embodies a plate or the like, formed of steel or hard bronze .in which a multiplicity of diamond substitutes or bodies of hard cutting material are embedded.

Further' `objects and` features of the invention will be best and fully understood from the following, detailed description o'f typical preferred forms, throughout which description reference will be -'had tothe accompanying drawing, in which:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of one form of bit provided by the present invention. Fig. 2 is a horizontal fragmentary sectional view of the tool illustrated in Fig. 1 of the drawing, being a View taken through one of the blades and cutting units. Fig. 3 'is a horizontal fragmentary sectional yiew ,similar to Fig. 2 of another embodiv ment of the invention. Fig. 4 is a vertical detailed sectional view taken'as indicated by line 4 4 on Fig. 3, and Fig. 5 is a horizntallfrag- -mentary detailed sectional view of another form of the invention.

provided by the invention are adapted to be employed on tools of various characters, -:for example, on well bits, well reamers, coe drills, milling tools, etc. Throughout the following detailed disclosure, the invention willbe described in two simple forms embodied in well drilling` bits. It is to be understood that the invention is not to be taken as limited orrestricted to the specic forms andapplications about to be described, but is to -be taken as including any fea tures or modifications that may fall within the scope of the claims.j

The embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2 ofthe drawing includes generally, a body 10, a plurality of cutting elements or units l1 connecteddirectly to the body 10, and material 12, having relatively low resistance to abrasion, cast on the body and the rear or back sides of the units 1l forming the blades B of the tool.

The body 10 `o1 the tool is adapted to be mounted on and operated by an operating string of vrotary drill pipe, or the like. The body is 7cylindrical in its" general configuration and has a central vertical circulation opening 13 extending into its uppervend. In theparticular form of 'invention illustrated in the drawing, the lower end of the body 10 is rounded -or semi-spherical andis provided with a plurality of branch cir- 1,10

culation openings 14 communicating with the central opening 13.

The cutting units 11 are the active or cutting elements of the tool for acting on the formation. i There may be any desired number of cutting units 11, depending upon the type of bit and upon the character of the formation for which the bit is intended. In the case illustrated in the drawing, there are four like cutting units 11 attached directly to the body'10 and arranged on the forward sides of the blades B, relative to the i direction of rotation of the tool. Each cutting element or cutting unit 1l includes a plate 15'and a multiplicity of diamond substitutes or'bodies 16 of hard cutting material carried by the plate.

The plates 15 are formed of material having sufilcient strength and hardness to withstand the working conditions in the well and to dependably and firmly hold the inserts 16. `It has been found practical to form the plates 15 of steel, hard bronze, or the like. It is a feature of I the invention that the plates 15 are attached or connected directly to the body 10 of the tool and form the faces or forward sides of the blades B.A The plates 15 are shaped to conform to the external configuration of the lower end portion of the body 10 and the configuration of the blades B, and in the formof invention illustrated in the drawing, have nat parallel s ides. The cutting units 11 are disposed in verticalA planes and in planes radial relative to the vertical longitu- -In the preferred construction, the plates 15 of the cutting units and the blades B of relatively cutting material may be formed of tungsten carsoft material, extend considerable` distance lon' gitudinally of the body 10 and project downwardly and outwardly from the lower end part of the body. The lower ends of the plates 15 are inclined or curved upwardly and inwardly while the upper ends of the plates are inclined downwardly and outwardly.

The means `for connecting or attaching theV plates 15 of the cutting units to the body 10 includes elongated lugs or ribs 17 projecting from the body. The rear sidesor backs of the plates- 15 are arranged against the forward sides of the ribs 17 so that the ribs operate to brace and back up the cutting. units 11. The ribs 18 are pref-fv `erably of sufllcient length tov extend substantially the entire lengths of the plates 15. The plates 15 are welded or brazed to thebody 10 depending uponthe material of which the plates are formed. The inner edges ofthe plates `15 may, be welded or brazed-directly to the bodylO as at 18 while welding or brazing 19 may connect .the rear sides of the plates 15 with theyouter ends of the ribs 17. Infthe preferred construction the welding or brazing 18 and 19 extends the entirelengths of the plates 15. It is to be understood that the plates 15 are brazed or welded directly to the body 10 prior to the casting of the material 12 on the body so that the cutting units 11 constitute integralportions. of the body 10 before the casting of the material on the body. v d

The diamond substitutes or bodies 16 of hard bide or like cutting and abrasion resisting material. ,'Ihere is a multiplicity of cutting bodies provided in each cutting unit 11 and the ,bodies 75- 1 16 may be either fully or partiauy embedded in the plates 15. In the forms of the invention i1- Vness. xIn the particular case illustrated in the lustrated in the drawing, the hard cutting bodies 16 are partially embedded in the plates 15 to have their outer sides flush with the faces or forward sides of the plates 15. The diamond substitutes or cutting bodies 16 may be rectangular members and are preferably embedded in the plates 15 in spaced relation. The cutting bodies 16 may be spaced apart in spaced vertical and horizontal rows as illustrated in Fig. 1 of the drawing. It is preferred to have a vertical row of diamondl substitutes occur at the outer edge of each plate 15 and a horizontal row of th'e cutting bodies along the lower margin of each plate. The diamond substitutes or bodies 16 o1' hard cutting material have greater resistance to abrasion than the plates 15 and blades B so as to be at all times exposed to eil'ectively act on the formation. As set forth above, the plates 15 16 are not materially aiected or injured by high 100 temperatures when cast orembedded in the plates. v

Anchoring means are provided on the units 11 to insure an effective bond or connection between the material 12 of the blades B and the plates 15. A plurality of spaced anchors 20 project from the rear'side of each plate 15 to project into orbe embedded ln the blades B. The anchors 20 maybe attached to the plates 15 in any suitable manner, for example, they may be welded or brazed to the plates. Heads or enlargements 21' are provided on 4the outer ends of the anchors 20 to effectively lock together or connect the cuttingl units 11 and the blades B.

The material 12 is cast on the body and 1154 the backs or rear sides of the -plates 15. The material 12 may be bronze, brass, aluminum,` or other material that has a comparatively lowA resistance to abrasion. In accordance with-the invention' the material 12 is cast directly on the body 10 and rear sides of the plates 15. The plates 15 and the body 10 may beplated or otherwise treated to -insure a more perfect bond'with the covering 12 of relatively' soft material. In practice, the relatively soft material 12 effectively bonds with the body and the 'plates 15 1 and thus forms an integral or unbroken connection between the plates and body. The sheath orcovering of relatively-soit material 12 may completely encase the periphery and\ the lower end of the body 10 aslllustrated throughout the drawing. Anchor means is provided to aid in connecting or locking the cast material 12 to the body 10. Circuxiiiferentially` spaced' lugs or ribs 22 project from the body 19- to be em ded in 135 the material 12d` Openings 14a are provided in the material 12 in register with tle branch circulation openings 14 to discharge the fluid downwardlyfrom the body'at points spaced between. adjacent blades B. 14 The blades B form integral projections on the `main body of the material 12. In the preferred lconstruction the bladesl B extend the entire lengths of the plates 15 and are'of suitable thickl drawingthe bladesB are Abevelled or cut away rearwardly and inwardly from the outer and lower edges of the plates 15.` The outer sides 23 'of the blades B are gradually curved or o bevelled inwardly from the outer edges of the wardly projecting cutting projections or teeth 25 on the lower end of each assembly of a cutting unit 11 and blade B. e

It is believed that the utility and practicability of the embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figs. l, and 2 of the drawing will be readily apparent from the foregoing detailed description. In operation, the inserts ordiamond substitutes 16 resist abrasion and effectively destroy or act upon the formation. The steel or hard bronze plates f15 have sufficient inherent strength and hardness to properly and tightly hold the cutting bodies 16 against displacement. The blades l15 being formed of a relatively soft material, wear away during operation so that the cutting units 11 are at all times exposed to be active and to havek proper working clearance. In this man- 'ner the tool is self-sharpening through wear or use. The plates 15 in being formed of a material having strength and hardness intermediate that of the diamond substitutes 16 and the blades B operate to dependably carry the diamond substitutes B and to prevent premature wearing away of the forward faces of the blades B. The ribs 417 and welding or brazing 18 transmit the horizontal working or cutting thrusts directly --from the cutting units 11 to the body 10. The

inner edges ofthe platesA 15 .in abutting .the

rounded lower end of the body l0 transmit the upward thrusts directly .to the body. The blades B properly back up the cutting units 11 and give the bit the desired size and weight; The body 10 may be recovered after the cutting units 11 and the blades B are worn away. The material 12 may be'melted from the body and the remaining portions of the blades 15 may be broken or cut from the body'so that new cutting units 11 and a new covering of relatively soft material 12 may be applied to the body.

In the form of the invention illustrated in Figs. 3 and'4 of the drawing, the cutting units 11a .are

applied to the tool afterv the relatively soft material 12a hasbeen cast on the b'ody 10a. The

- body 10a/the cutting units 11a and the materiau 12a may beof substantially the saine4 construction, shape, and, character as the corresponding parts of the tool illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawing. As set forth above, the relatively soft material 12a, is cast on the body 10a` prior to the mounting of the cutting units 11a on the tool. The forward facesof the blades B' are'ilush with the forward sides? of the ribs 17a as illustrated in Fig. 3 of the drawing. The plates 15al carrying the bodies 16a of hard cutting material are arranged against the forward faces of the blades B' and the ribs 17a.l The inner edges of the plates 15a may be welded or brazed directly to the body 10a as at 30. Anchoring projections 31 are provided on the rear sides of the plates Spaced openings 32 are provided inthe 15a. blades B to receive the anchors 31. The body of material 12a may be cut away as at 33 to per-- mit the ready insertion of the anchors 31.in the openings 32. 'I'he openings 32 pass the anchors 3l\with considerable" clearance; After the cutting units 11a have been arranged inposition against the forward'faces of the blades B', molten -serve to ourselves any changes or variations that y may appear to those skilled in the art or fall'withthe material 12b and the blades B2 may be identi- Acal with the corresponding elements of the form illustrated in Figs. 1 and `2 of the drawing. A plurality .of spaced transverse openings 60 are, provided in the plates 15b. The openings 60 are tapered or flared outwardly toward the forward faces of the plates 15b. When the material 12b is cast on the body and'plates it flows into and nils the openings 60 and upon cooling effectively connectsthe plates 15h and blades B2.

Having described only typical preferred forms of the invention, we do not wish to limit ourselves to the speciilc details set forth, but wish to re- 10b in the scope of the following claims.v

Having described our invention, we claim:

1. A well drilling tool including, a body, a member of relatively hard material attached directly, to the body-bodies of hard cutting material iembedded in the member, and a layer .of material having relatively low resistance to abrasion encasing the body and intimately adhering to the body and thel rear side of said member. 110

2. A well drilling tool including,`a shank, a plate of relatively hard material joined directly to the shank, bodies of hard cutting material enig bedded in the plate, and a surroundinglayer yof material having relatively low resistance to abrasion cast on the shank and having a projecting 1 blade portion cast on the rearfside of the said plate.

3. A well drilling tool including a body, plates of relatively hard material joined directly to the -body at spaced points, bodies of hard cutting mabody and having projecting blade portions intimately adhering to the rear sides of the plates.

4. A` well drilling tool including a body, plates' `of relatively hard material integrally joined to the body at yspaced points by fusion, bodies of hard cutting material embedded in .the plates, a surrounding layer of relatively sftA material cast on the body and having projecting bladeportions cast on the rear sides of the plates, and anchoring means between the platesv and blade i l portions.-r.i.

5; A weil drilling i001 including a body. plates 135 of relatively, hard material integrally joined 'to the body at spaced points, bodies of hard cut- -ting material embedded` in the plates, a layer of relatively soft material cast on Athe body and havving projecting blade portions cast on the rear tively soft material cast on the body and having projecting blade portions cast on the rear sides s. A wen mum tool inducing a body, a layer of lrelatively soft material cast on the body and havingl a blade projection, a plate of hard material joined with the body, a plurality of spaced cutting embedded in the plate, and means for attaching the plate to the blade projection including an anchor projection on the plate adapted to be passed into an opening in the blade projection, and material poured into the said opening 9. A well drilling tool including a body, a surrounding layer of relatively soft material cast on the body and having ablade projection, a cutting unit,` and means for attaching the cutting unit to the blade projection including an anchor projection on the unit adapted to be passed into an opening in the blade projection. a head on the anchor projection, and material poured into the said opening.

JOHN H. HOWARD. ALFRED C. CATLAND. 

